How to backup your data
Revision as of 14:11, 31 August 2006 by Jlencion(talk | contribs)

While technology is improving every day, it does fail sometimes. Frequently backing up essential data is extremely important. Please see the instructions below for your operating system and backup method.

Windows

If you have a Windows machine and a CDRW drive, you can use SmartBackup to backup your important files to CDRWs. To have SmartBackup installed on your computer, please contact the Technology Helpline at x6111 or helpline@gustavus.edu

Formatting CDRWs With Nero InCD

Before you can use SmartBackup to backup your data to CDRWs, they must be formatted. Note, you cannot use CDR's with InCD, just CDRW's.

  • Insert a blank CDRW into your CDRW drive.
  • Double click on My Computer.
  • Right click on your CDRW drive and select InCD format.
  • Give your CDRW a name in the Label field (note, if you need to backup to multiple CDRWs, they must have unique names).
  • Click "Start". InCD will now format your CDRW.
  • When you are returned to the InCD format utility window, click on Eject CD
  • You may be given options on how you want to access the CDRW. Select Leave As Is and click OK.
  • Close the InCD format utility window.

Setting Backup Criteria

With SmartBackup, you can setup and save backup criteria.

  • Open SmartBackup by double-clicking on the SmartBackup tray icon (see figure 1).
  • Click on "Create Backup".
  • On the General tab, specify a name for your backup in the Name field.
  • Click on the icon next to the Destination Path field
  • Select your CDRW (see figure 2).
  • On the Refreshes and Other Settings tab, check "Enable Automatic Refresh" to schedule a regular backup.
  • Set the frequency you desire.
  • Check "Activate Spanning on Multiple Disks".
  • Click "Next".
  • Select the files and folders you want to backup. For example, to backup your MyLocalData folder, click on the box next to MyLocalData.
  • Click "Next" to save the criteria and run the backup now, or click Save and Exit to save the criteria.

Running a backup

A scheduled backup will run with the saved criteria you specified. You will be prompted to insert your backup CD. Note that if your backup is larger than one CD, you will be prompted to insert subsequent disks (CDs.)

You can also run a saved backup manually at any time

  • Open SmartBackup by double clicking on the SmartBackup tray icon (see figure 1).
  • Click "Maintain Backup".
  • Select the backup you wish to run.
  • Click "Refresh".

Restoring from backup

To restore files from your backup CD

  • Open SmartBackup by double clicking on the SmartBackup tray icon (see figure 1).
  • Click "Maintain Backup".
  • Select the backup you wish to restore from.
  • Click "Restore".
  • Select the files or folders you wish to restore.
  • Click "Finish".
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